UNITED KINGDOM
Former United Kingdom Chancellor, Sajid Javid (pictured) has warned Prime Minister, Boris Johnson that the Treasury must retain “as much credibility as possible” if the Government is to remain effective.
Mr Javid resigned after he was told that a condition of keeping his job would be to sack all of his Special Advisers and agree to them being replaced by appointments made by Mr Johnson.
Chief Treasury Secretary, Rishi Sunak was promoted to replace Mr Javid.
In his resignation letter to Mr Johnson, Mr Javid confirmed that he had been offered the option of staying on as Chancellor in the Prime Minister’s Cabinet reshuffle but had turned it down.
“I regret that I could not accept the conditions attached to the reappointment. It is crucial for the effectiveness of Government that you have people around you who can give you clear and candid advice, as I have always sought to do,” he wrote.
“I also believe that it is important as leaders to have trusted teams that reflect the character and integrity that you would wish to be associated with.”
Mr Javid said he would continue to support the Government’s policy agenda but added: “I would urge you to ensure the Treasury as an institution retains as much credibility as possible”.
Mr Javid also used his letter, which he shared on Twitter, to publicly acknowledge the work of Public Servants he worked with at the Treasury.
“The team there has impressed me with the energy and intellect they have brought to delivering the shifts in policy that I have led,” he said.
“They are among the very best Public Servants we have and I hope they can continue to play a central role in driving an economic agenda that puts people and place at its heart.”
London, 16 February, 2020
